Counter-molding machine



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SIDNEY SOHDIATHAN HEATH, OF JOHNSON CITY, NEW YORK.

COUNTER-MOLDING IiiACl-IINE. 7

Application filed December 5, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may cor wc'rn:

Be it known that it, SIDNEY J. HnA'rr-r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Johnson City, inthe county of Broolne and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Counter-lvlolding Machine. of which the followin is a full clear and exact description.

This invention relates to machines for forming articles such as counters for foot wear and is illustrated embodied in an automatically operating machine for fo rm ing and molding fiat blanks into such counters.

in previous machines of this type it has either been necessary for an operator to bend each blank to approximately its final form before, placing it in the machine, or else to provide complicated bending devices which do not operate with entire satisfaction and which require constant attention and care. 7

An object of the present invention is to obviate these difficulties by providing improved and greatly simplified means for vresenting blanks bent approximately in the desired form in position to be compressed and molded into finished articles such as counters.

in the illustrated embodiment of the invention a co-operating die and former bend the blanks successively into a substantially U-shaped form, and these blanks are automatically grasped by a device which preserves their form while it inserts them between members which co-operate to compress each blank to form a finished article. Preferably the transferring. device is arranged between the bending means and the compressing means, and may operate by grasping the projecting margin of each bent, and then moving to reverse the blank and insert it between the compressing members with the margin projecting therefrom in position to be bent over by a suitable flange forming device to complete the counter.

A further object of the invention is to improve automatic machines of this characteixby simplifying the various partsand Dfv so arranging them with respect to one nother as to reduce'the undesirable multiplication of parts which has been a feature of earlier machines. Thus a mairazine for iiat blanks, and an improved feeding device Serial No. 519,995.

therefor, are arranged immediately adjacent the above-described bending means to push the flat blanks automatically between the co-operating die and'former, and accurately to position them with respect thereto. An improved form of die and former is also provided for bending yieldingly actuated clamp members operating through the sides of the die to; press each blank against the sides of the former in position to be withdrawn by the abovedescribed transfer device. This makes it possible to use a single bending device for a considerable range of sizes of blanks and shapes of counters.

Other features of the invention are to be found in an improved blank feeding meehanism, a novel transfer device for reversing the bent blanks and presenting themto the compressing or molding members, an improved arrangement of novel compressing members to form a mold for completing the formation of the counters, and in various other specific constructions and novel combinations of parts which will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a counter forming machine in which fiat blanks are given a preliminary bending and then molded in a power operated mold until they have assumed the correct shape.

A still further object is to provide acounter forming machine in which a mold is provided for pressing blanks into proper shape, the mold being associated with means for successively supplying I blanks in a bowed or bent shape.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a front view of a molding machine disclosing one embodiment of the invention. v

Figure 2-is a side view of the machine shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a through Figure 1 33.

vertical sectional view approximately on line Figure 3 i a detail of part of the gearing shown in Figure 3.

the blanks, embodyingv Figured is a sectional view through Figure 3 approximately on line 4-4:.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the structure shown in Figure 1. v

Figure 6 is a substantially horizontal sectional view through Figure 3 approximately on line 6 6.

Figure 7 is anenlarged sectional View through 7'Z.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail fragmentary horizontal sectional View through Figure 3 on line 88.

Figure 9 is a View on an enlarged scale of the central part of Figure 4r but with the parts in a different position.

Figure 10 is a view in elevation on an enlarged scale showing the molding dies and plunger embodying certain features of the'invention, said elevation being taken approximately on line 10-10 of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a. view similar to Figure 10 but showing the parts in a closed or operated position Figure 12 is a sectional view through Figure 11 approximately on line 12 12.

Figure 18 is a horizontal sectional *iew through Figure 12 approximately on line 1313.

Figure 14 is a face'view of the grippers shown in Figures 12 and 13.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view detail fragmentary Figure 3 on line through Figure 12 approximately on line Flgure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view through Figure 15 on line 1616.

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 but showing the parts in a different position.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view thiough the mold and associated parts shown in Figure 11, said mold and associated parts being in the counter receiving osition.

Figure 19 is a sectional view similar to Figure 18 but showing the parts in a clamping position.

Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19 but showing the wiping block or plate about to complete its wiping operation.

Figure 21 shows the mold in an open position with the ejector or doding member op erating to disengage the finished counter from the forming plunger of the mold.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a blank used in forming a counter.

Figure 23 is perspective view the counter after it has been completed.

Figure 24 is fragmentary sectional view showing substantially an outline of the transfer mechanism moving a bent blank to r w -"d the forming mold.

igure 25 is a view similar to Figure but showing the parts in a further advanced position with the bent counter being insertinto the mold.

Figure is a view similar to Figure 2st but showing the parts in a further advanced position with the wiper completing the f0rmation of the counter.

ters for shoes, a number of (ifhare been provlded, most 01 coun devices ferent which rill Di? some form of preliminar V citation, as for instance bending or the counter. Also, in the machines heretofore used. the operation is comparatively slow.

in avoiding the disadvantages of such machines the present invention cont-emplates the provision of a machine of an en tircly new type. The embodiment thereof illustrated in the drawings comprises generally a magazine for counter blanks. feeding mechanism to deliver blanks successively from the bottom of the magazine. a preliminary mold to receive and bend the blanks, a transferring device to seize the bent blanks and present them in position for further molding, a final mold to finish the shaping of the blanks to form molded counters, and mechanism to eject the finished counters.

in the illustrated machine, it is aimed to provide a completely automatic mechanism which will automatically feed from the magazine and which will so operate that blanks will be taken successively from the magazine. transported to the molds, formed by the molds into proper shape and. then ejected in such a manner as to be discharged out a given chute. In producing a suitable supporting frame for an improved struo ture which will effectively operate in the cribed. a front plate 1 is co vided preferably having a foot or base a.

The plate 1 is associated with side and 6). said side plates in turn E being provider: with feet or base members 2 and 2. The front plate 1 is provided with pair of v rtical flanges 5 and 6 fitting into the notches 7 and 8 formed in plates 3 and Al whereby the respective bolts 9 may readily secure the front plate and the two side plates 3 and t rigidly together. These three plates form a supportframe which may be merely resting on a suitable support or maybe secured to a support. As the upper part of the front plate is subjected to a strain in a vertical direction. tension bolts 10 and 11 extend through the enlargements 12 and 13 arranged on each edge of plate 1, said tension bolts extending ifrom the top of the plate to near the center as shown in Figure t. Near the center of the machine, enlarge lUt) . secured merits 14: and 15 are provided through which the bolts 10 and 11 pass. This reinforcing structure of the front plate takes care of the strain produced by toggle .16, (Fig. 3) which journaled at 17 and 18 so as to give a vertical thrust to a cross bar 19, which operates certain mechanism hereinafter fully described, V

The toggle 16 is provided with two toggle links pivotally connected together by a pivotal pin or rod 20 on which is a link 21, which link in turn is pivoted at 22 onto the arm 23. Arm 23 is pivoted at 2% on a suitable shaft 25 secured to side plates 3 and 4:, which side plates are provided with suitable bosses for receiving the shaft. Arm 23 (Fig. 8) is not only provided with cars 26 for receiving the end of link 21, but is provided with ears 27 for receiving'a pint-ls. on which rollers 28 and 29 are journaled. The roller 29 operates in a groove 30 formed in the cam 31 whil the roller 28 operates against the outer cam surface 32 of the cam 31. The roller 29 acts in conjunction with the cam 31 as means f link 21 while t 1e roller 28 co-acts with the cam face 32 for pushing the link 21 in order to cause an actuation of the toggle 16 for moving the cross bar 19 as it performs its work. The

cam 31 is rigidly secured to a shaft 33,which shaft is journaled in suitable bosses S t-and 35 in the plates 3 and a said shaft passing through plate 3 in order that the power gear 36 may be rigidly secured thereto adjacent the outer face of the plate. The power gear 36 meshes with a power pinion 37 which pinion also meshes with a second power gear 38. The power pinion 37 is rigidly to a shaft 39 ,journaled in the bosses a0 and 41 and extending entirely through plates 3 and 4. A. driving gear 12 is loosely mounted on shaft 39 (Figs. 2 and o) said driving gear meshing with a driving pinion 13 rigidly secured to the shaft 44:, which shaft has a combined pulley wheel and fly wheel 15 rigidly secured thereto. The shaft is journaled in the plate 4 and a suitable bracket 16 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to plate 1.

The driving gear a2 is provided with a hub section 47 having a clutch face adapted to interlock with the clutch sleeve 4L8, which clutch sleeve is splined on shaft 39. A shifting lever 19 is journaled in the bracket as and extends to a convenient point near the front of the machine whereby, the clutch sleeve 18 may be thrown into and out of clutching position at any time so as to throw the power in and out. The combined pulley and fly wheel 15 is driven from any suitable source of power, as for instance, by a belt 50 operated in any suitable manner. Wheir ever the driving shaft is operating, the power gears 36 and 38 will be rotated. Power gear 38 is rigidly secured to shaft 51 also pivoted or pulling the I which is journaled in suitable bosses 53 and 52 and which extends entirely through sii'le plates 3 and 4 so that atthe end oppos.

site that carrying gear 38, an auxiliary :70

58 l naled on y plate 4.. Th idle 58 meshes with g Wheel 59 rigid secured to shaft 60, which shaft operates certain mechanism hereinafter fully described. V y

It will be seen that power is transmit is distributed fron'i the rear to the various moving parts in such a manner as to produce positive action of the various parts in proper timed relation.

automatic feeding mechanism shown at the right in Figure 3, to the permanent bending mechanism arranged adjacent the feeding The feeding mechanism includes a magazine or hopper 61 which i s-substantially a U-shaped structure and ordinarily carries a stack of blanks 62 said blanks beingheld properly in place by a suitable follower or weight 63. These blanks are previously prepared so as to appear as shown in Figure 22. It will be noted that the blanks are formed with one straight edge and a substantially arc-shapedv edge with beveled portions 64, which beveled portions are turned inwardly as shown in Figure'23 when the complete counter 65 is finished. In order to properl .center and hold iuplace the blanks 62, side plates 66 and 67 are provided, said side plates being carried by suitable castings 6S and 69 having slotted ears 70' and 71 which accommodate clamping bolts 72 and 7 3 whereby the side plates 66 and 67 may be adjusted toward and. from each other to hold and guide in proper position different size blanks. The magenine 61 rests on a platform 74 and ifdesired,

may be integral therewith.

separate from the f ont wall is bolted to suital'ile flanges (Fig. whereby the p rats are properly held in place, said flanges forming part of a front. bracket .77 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the bracket 77. The platform 74 is providedwith an elongated notch 7 8 arranged centrally thereof. said notch accommodating a guiding block 7 9 and the actutefii to the machine at the rear and from thence Power'is transmitted, as hereinafter fully described, to the .iront wall 75 of the magazine 61 and said with a sloted end 88 which accomii'iodates the roller 85. A retaining plate 89 is bolted or otherwise secured to the block 79, said block accommodating an arm 90 provideifl with a shoulder 91 fitting one edge of the plate 89 wheseby when said arm is bolted rigidly to the plate 89 it cannot move independently of said plate and as said plate is rigidly secured to block 79, the arm must move with said block and the feeding plate 81.

11 red 92 extends through one end of the arm 90 and is rigidly clamped to said arm by a suitable set screw 93, said rod having an enlargen'ient 9-lat one end so as to be eng'aged by the lever 95 through which the rod loosely extends. Lever 95 is rigidly secured to a shaft 96 journaled in suitable brackets 97 secured to the platform 71-. A power lever 98 is rigidly secured to shaft 96, said power lever carrying a weight 99 whereby shaft 96 is gi"econtinuous tendency to rotate iii a direction and to pull rod 92. 0 also carries a pair of levers 199 (i 16 and 17) which levers are preferably bifurcated at their outer ends so as to receive a pin 101 extending through a weighted lever 192, said weighted lever having an extension 103 pivotally connected with a feeder foot 1041, which feeder foot is roughened or toothed on the upper edge to engage and force. in a given direction, the lowermost blank 32. As the actuating lever moves for ard, together with the parts connected therewith, the feeding foot 104: will be also moved as rod 92 is moved. The movement of rod 92 caused by lever 80 will. permit the weigl'it 99 to rock the shaft 96 and, consequently, to move the feeding foot 10 1 until it assumes the position shown in Figure 17. lVhen this position has been assumed, the feeding oot ceases to operate but rod 92 and the teedin plate 81 continue-to move forward until the feeding plate 81 has forced the lowermost blank 62 through the slot 105 and against the sts 196. These steps (Fig. are provided "n 1th slots 10.? for aecon1modatng the respective bolts 108 whereby the stops may be adjusted to suit the various conditions.

is indicated in Figure 15, the various members or feet 10 1 are comparatively narrow and operate insuitahle slots 109 and 110. 1t will also be noted that the feeding plate ing the blanks in the slot 105.

.118, the lever 80 will be gi 81 is provided with an are-shaped face 111 which is offset at 112 so that two spaced points of contact will be provided for forc- The actu ating lever 80 is pivoted at 113 (Fig. 3) on part of the bracket 77, said lever being formed with a counterbalancing arm 111 carrying a weight 115, said weight continually acting to cause the arm 80 to move to the position shown in Figure 28. A roller 116 is rotatably mounted on the actuating lever 80, said roller operating against cam face 117 of the cam 118. lnis face is provided with single depression 119 whereby upon each revolution of the cam en one back and forth movement, said lever being positively withdrawn or moved to a starting point by the cam and actuated for forcing a blank against the stops 106 throiurh the act'ion of the weight 115. In order that the blank may be properly centered when on gagipg the stops 106, guiding or centering members 120 and 1 1 are used, said guiding or centering members being formed from flat plates of metal as shown in Figure 15 with one edge 122 turned down (Fig. 10.) A slot 123 is provided in each of the members 120 and 121, said. slots accommodating suitable clamping screws 12% whereby the guiding members are clamped properly in .28 is provided on each s on at the entrance so that when the l ling plungor 129 moves upwardly forces a blank into the die as shown in Figure 11, said blank will be guided and gradually folded by the action of these rollers and the plunger 129. This plunger is carried by rod 269 guided in a suitable guiding structure 270 10) and carries at its lower end bifurcated fitting 271 which straddles the shaft 149 and which carries l rollers 272 projecting int'o the groove in cam 152 whereby the plunger is properly operated this cam ismoved by a shaft 149. Preferably, the plunger 129 is made appreciably smaller than the die so that there will be a space, not only between the plunger and die, but also between the die and the blank when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 11. This permits blanks of different thicknesses to be rea 11y used while at the shown in Figure 10 by a suitable spring 132. It will be understoodthat both of these shoes 130 and associated parts are identical, so that the descriptionof one will apply to both.

The section 127 is provided with an ear 133 on which is pivotally mounted a lever 134 arranged so that the short end 135 will engage the plunger 131 for moving the same against theaction of spring 132. A suitable link 136 is pivotally connected to the long end of lever 134 and also pivot-ally connected to the cross bar 137, which cross bar is rigidly secured to arm 138, which arm is provided with a suitable aperture in the end for accommodating the operating rod 139 A spring 140 surrounds rod 139 and presses against the. arm 138 and against an adjustable stop 141 whereby the arm 138 and associated parts are resiliently moved in one direction, namely. so that the gripping shoes 130 may grip the blank as shown in Figure 11 but it is positively moved inthe opposite direction bythereturn movement of the rod 1 T his rod is guided by a suitable guiding lug 142 which is used an an'abutment for the spring 143, which spring surrounds rod 139, and presses against the adjustable sleeve 144. The spring 143 acts as means for returning or assisting in returning rod 139 and associated parts to their normal position which is shown in Figure 10. This rod extends downwardly and is bifurcated at its lower end so as to receive a pin 145 (Figs. 1 and 2) whereby a suitable roller 146 may be mounted thereon and operate againstthe gripper cam 147. As shown in Figure 2, this cam is formed as a disk with an arcshaped surface merging into two inclined surfaces connected by a short arc-shaped surface 148. By reason of this structure, the rod 139 and parts associated therewith will be held stationary for half a revolution of the shaft 149. The bifurcated end of rod 139 is provided with an ear 150 extending into a suitable bifurcation in link 151.:to which it is pivotally connectcdby a suitable pin while the link 151 is pivotally connect-v ed to part of the bracket 7 7 The shaft 149 isrigidly secured to cam 118, cam147, cam 152 and with pinion 153 (Fig. 3). iinion 153 meshes continually with an idler gear 154. which idler gear also continually meshes with a pinion 15o rigidly secured to shaft 60, which shaft is rigidly connected with the cain 157. A link 158 pivotally mounted on shaft 149 carries shaft 159 on which gear 154 is mounted, and is hung from shaft 60, by a and extends through the faceplate second link 160 on each side of the pinion 153 and extends to a central point in respect to the idler gear 154 so as to accom' modate a short shaft 159, which shaft also extends tnrough two iinks 160 pivotally mounted on shaft 60 and extending on opposite sides ,of the pinion 155 and idler I gear 154.

This arrangementpresents a toggle joint support for the shaft 159 and, consequently, maintains the idler gear 154 in mesh with both of the pinions' 153 and 155 regardless of the movement of pinion 153. The movement of this pinion and shaft149and the adjustment of the auxiliary bracket 77 toward and from the front plate 1 raises and lowers gear 154 without carrying it out of mesh with gears 153 and 155. This adjustment is permitted by the fact that the bolts 161 (Fig. 2) extend through slots in the bottom .of the auxiliary bracket 77 whereby said bracket maybe readily adjusted in respect to bracket 77 and the front plate 1. This adjustment is to provide for the proper space between the bending die and the transfer spider 162. I

As above described, mechanism has been provided for feeding fiat blanks from the hopper 61 to a position against the stops 106 and also mechanism has been described for giving this flat blank a temporary bending to form the same into a U-shaped structure. After thus bending the blank,it is necessary to'removethc bent blank, from the bending die and transfer the same to the forming mold. This transfer mechanism is mounted on a centrally positioned bracket 163 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to part of the bracket 77 and is formed with a groove guide 164 (Fig.7), part of saidgroove being formed by the removable plate 165. 'A carriage 166 is slidingly mounted on the bracket 163 and isprovided'with a clove-tail structure fitting into groove 164 wherebythe carriage may freely reciprocate in said bracket 163. The carriage 166 is'provided with an upstanding support'167 carrying a.

supporting shaft 168 to which across169 in providing a pair of gripping blocks 170 I r and 171 (Fig. 14) constantly urged to separate by suitable springs 17 2. A bolt 173 is arranged at each end of the gripping device 17 4 into 

